Man dies in auto crash

Jamie Nash

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, October 23, 2006

Joseph "Joey" Mitchell died after his extended-cab GMC pickup veered off Fire Tower Road near Texas 242 around 8:30 p.m. and struck a tree at a high rate of speed, according to investigators with the Texas Department of Safety.

Mitchell was only a few blocks from home, and no one saw the crash, but nearby residents heard it and called 9-1-1. Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services responded and transported Mitchell to Conroe where he was later pronounced dead by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Trey Spikes. DPS investigators said there was a strong smell of alcohol inside the vehicle and said several empty alcoholic beverage containers were found in the vehicle.

Mitchell's mother, Julianna, said her son still lived in the same neighborhood where he grew up and knew everyone. He graduated from Hauke High School in Conroe and was employed by Pro Home Services of Conroe. "He loved to fish and hunt and ride four-wheelers," Julianna Mitchell said. "He liked to be around people."

Joey Mitchell was unmarried and had no children. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his father, Kenneth, and his older sister, Christy Bouton, who resides in North Carolina. As of press time, funeral arrangements were not complete, but the family planned to have services at the Fire Tower Baptist Church, located next door to Mitchell's residence.

As for how she would want her son remembered, Julianna Mitchell said simply, "Everyone knew him and he had a kind heart."

Mitchell's death brings to 62 the number of automobile-related deaths in Montgomery County for 2006.